Golf club and ball wash rack

ABSTRACT

The golf club and ball wash rack includes a housing shell having a base and removable cover within which is provided a first wash tank and associated brush means for washing a golf club head manipulated through a club receiving aperture in the cover and a second wash tank means with associated brush means for receiving and washing a golf ball manipulated via a ball washer operated through a second aperture in the cover. The housing is mounted by a stand upon a pedestal located adjacent the tee area of a golf course playing area and is provided with a framework of corner and rail members for receiving and mounting an indicia bearing panel therein with upper portions of the panel being fastened to the housing by a depending flange portion of the cover plate. The individual wash tanks are of one piece molded plastic with a first pair of opposed channels with side wall recesses for receiving matingly formed handle portions of brushes and second opposed channels for receiving and guiding portions of the ball washer. The ball washer includes a paddle-like body having a ball receiving port in a head portion of the body connected by a rod to a golf ball-like handle.

United States Patent 1 Warren et a1.

[ 1 July 31, 1973 1 GOLF CLUB AND BALL WASH RACK [76] Inventors: Allyn G. Warren, 32105 Beachlake Ln., Westlake Village, Calif. 91361; Douglasls. Warren, 27151 Mission Hills Dr., San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

22 Filed: on. 12, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 188,356

[52] US. Cl. 15/21 A, 40/125 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 47/04 I [58] Field of Search 15/21 A, 21 R, 97 R;

40/125 R, 125 D, 125 F, 125 H, 130 R, 132 R, 132 D, 133 B Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-C. A. Miketta, G. P. Smith et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The golf club and ball wash rack includes a housing shell having a base and removable cover within which is provided a first wash tank and associated brush means for washing a golf club head manipulated through a club receiving aperture in the cover and a second wash tank means with associated brush means for receiving and washing a golf ball manipulated via a ball washer operated through a second aperture in the cover. The housing is mounted by a stand upon a pedestal located adjacent the tee area of a golf course playing area and is provided with a framework of corner and rail members for receiving and mounting an indicia bearing panel therein with upper portions of the panel being fastened to the housing by a depending flange portion of the cover plate. The individual wash tanks are of one piece molded plastic with a first pair of opposed channels with side wall recesses for receiving matingly formed handle portions of brushes and second opposed channels for receiving and guiding portions of the ball washer. The ball washer includes a paddle-like body having a ball receiving port in a head portion of the body connected by a rod to a golf ball-like handle.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIE JUL 31 I973 SHEET 3 BF 3 firTo/qA/Eeln GOLF CLUB AND BALL WASI-I' RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Almost all golf courses have a golf ball washer rack adjacent the tee or tee box of each hole on the golf course. These ball washers generally include a manually operable ball receiving member which manipulates the ball past a pair.of brushes for cleaning the same. Further, devices have been developed hereinbefore for cleaning a golf club head by providing a pair of relatively revolving brushes within a floor mounted machine at the golf course club house so that a golfer could clean his clubs by positioning it between the revolving brushes. However, such club head" washing devices have heretofore been quite large, expensive and bulky and have not been placed in use adjacent the tees or tee boxes of a golf course as in the case of the aforementioned ball washers. Further, the typical ball washer or rack in use heretofore has merely mounted a sign, such as an arrow, on the associated stand or post for indicating the number of the hole being played and the yardage therefor.

' It is therefore the principal object of the present in-l vention to provide a golf club and ball wash rack apparatus, suitable for washing b oth golf club heads and balls, and which incorporates means for mounting display panel means bearing indicia thereon which may comprise advertising material directed toward golfers and golf enthusiasts.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose and provide a golf club and ball wash rack apparatus which mounts both club head and ball washing means in a single housing at a convenient height and location so that a golfer can wash'his golf club head and ball generally concurrently preparatory to teeing off on the golf course hole adjacent which the rack is positioned.

It is another object of the present inventionto disclose and provide a wash rack apparatus having a housing mounted upon a stand above ground level where it can be easily seen or observed by golfers using or passing by the same and particularly wherein the housing has means on it for removably mounting display means for displaying indicia exteriorly of the housing where it is clearly visible to users or passers by.

It is a still further object of the present invention to disclose and provide a novel construction andconfiguration of wash tank for use in the golf club and ball washing portions of the rack which not only conveniently hold and retain wash water therein but are formed to receive and retain scrub brush means therein and guide scrubbing operations to be conducted between the brushes into an area between the brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

paratory to use thereof. Further, and generally stated,

means are provided on the housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of the housing.

More particularly, the mounting means for said first and second wash means, of the present invention, comprises the provision of a housing secured to an upper portion of a-stand with the first and second wash means each'contained within the housing and including a water-holding receptacle or tank in which brush means are provided for scrubbing a clubhead or ball manipulated therein; The second wash means also includes a paddle-like washer having a golf ball receiving port therein and an associated handle for manipulating a golf ball'between the brush means provided'within the aforementioned second wash means. The housing is further provided with a removable cover having a club receiving aperture located over the club washer tank and a ball receiving aperture located over the ball washing tank.

The means provided upon the housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means or panel includes lip means provided along a lower portion of a side wall of the housing for receiving lower marginal'portions of the panel. Fastening means are provided along an upper portion of the housing to retain upper marginal portions of the panel tothe hous ing, and as contemplated within the present invention, include a depending flange of the removable cover. Further, vertical corner members may be provided as part of a framework for mounting such display means, the. corner members also having lip portions for overlying marginal'areas of the panel. A panel may therefore be vertically slid under the aforementioned lip members and retained by assembly of the cover plate to the housing.

A more complete understanding of the present invention in wash rack apparatus will be afforded to those skilled in the art, and further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, from a consideration of the following detailed explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of golf club and ball wash rack apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Reference will be made to the-appended sheets of drawings in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the golf club and ball wash rack in accordance with our present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section view of the wash 7 rack of FIG. 1 taken therein along the plane IIII;

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse section view of the wash rack of FIGS. I and 2 taken along the plane III- III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the wash rack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section view'of the wash rack apparatus of FIGS. 1 through 4 taken along the plane V-V in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view, partially in section, of the wash rack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a portion of the wash rack apparatus taken inFIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a detailed vertical transverse section view of a portion of the wash rack apparatus of FIG. 1 taken therein along the plane VIIIVII I.

A detailed explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of golf club and ball wash rack apparatus,

according to the present invention, will notw be made. Generally stated, however, the wash rack, indicated generally at 10, includes a housing, indicated generally at 20, having a golf club washer portion, indicated generally at 21, a golf ball washer portion, indicated generally at 22, and means, indicated generally at 23, for a movably mounting an indicia during panel display, such as panel 24 having advertising indicia provided thereon.

The wash rack housing, indicated generally at 20, in the exemplary embodiment, is provided by a four-sided integrally formed fiberglass shell including front side 31, back side 32, right side 33 and left side 34. A formed, pan-like fiberglass base 35 is provided within the housing shell and secured thereto, as by epoxy or other adhesive means. The base 35 is provided with a surrounding peripheral depending flange 36 for facilitating the adhesive bonding between the housing shell and base.

Housing 20 is mounted via a base associated flange 37 to base support stand, or post, 11 which in turn is mounted by its bottom or base flange 12 upon a concrete pedestal or footing 13 poured or otherwise provided on the ground 14. The particular hole number and yardage for a given hole may be provided, in cusomtary manner, upon an indicator 15 secured in known manner to post 11. Similarly, a waste basket 16 may be mounted in known manner by bands 17 and 18 to post 11. As in FIG. 1, a shoe or cleat brush may also be mounted adjacent post 11 to the pedestal 13. The housing is further provided with a top cover 38 having a surrounding depending peripheral cover flange 39 which, in the exemplary embodiment, functions as part of the means for removably mounting an indicia bearing display as hereinafter more fully explained.

The club washer portion of the housing, indicated generally at 21, is provided, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, with a club washer tank 40 which is preferably molded in one piece from plastic. Tank 40 is water tight and, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably as an integral lip area 41 formkd integrally'therewith which underlies the cover plate 38.

Means are provided for locating and positioning the club washer tank 40 within the housing upon housing base 35. Such means in the exemplary embodiment include the surrounding support shell 42 which is adhesively secured to the upper surface of base 35 via the support shells bottom peripheral flange 43. The side walls of the support shell 42 are shown extending upwardly of the club washer tank in supporting relation almost to the upper lips of the tank. This construction allows the use of a fairly thin wall plastic tank which is preferably molded in a particular configuration as hereinafter explained. However, it has been found that where a heavier walled molded plastic tank is employed, the support shell 42 may be provided by lower extending walls and even on only two sides of the tank for positioning it properly within the housing.

The golf ball washer portion, indicated generally at 22, of the exemplary embodiment of wash rack apparatus is similarly provided with a ball washer tank 50 constructed in the same manner as club washer tank 40. The exemplary ball washer tank 50 is provided with a top peripheral lip 51 underlined the cover plate 38. A support shell 52 with a bottom peripheral flange 53, adhesively secured to base 35, is provided for positioning and supporting tank 50. As in the case of the club washer tank positioning shell, shell 52 may be provided with shorter height side walls, or even only two spaced positioning walls where a heavier stronger walled plastic tank 50 is employed.

Each of the washer tanks and 50 of the first and second wash means before described are preferably molded to be interchangeable in the housing and to receive and guide both cleaning brushes and a golf ball washer paddle as hereinafter described. As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the washer tanks includes a pair of opposed brush head receiving channels 45, 47 and 55, 57 respectively. Channels and 47 of club washer tank 40 are each provided with side recesses 46, 46' and 48, 48' to facilitate receiving and holding a mating handle portion 62, 63 of the brushes, indicated generally at 60 and 61, having opposed bristles 64 and 65. A golf club head may be manipulated between bristle 64 and 65 for cleaning as hereinafter explained. The four molded corners of the tank, as corner 49, fit into the corners of the support or positioning members, shell 42 in the exemplary embodiment.

Ball washer tank is identical to tank 40 and similarly is provided with opposed brush head receiving channels and 57 with each having opposed side recesses 56, 56' and 58, 58 respectively. Ball washer brushes, indicated generally at and 66, are provided with heads 67 and 68 formed to be vertically slid into the channels 55 and 57 and retained therein. The exemplary embodiments, the brush heads are shown as one piece formed members. It is also contemplated that these heads may comprise a molded plastic part, formed to mate with the opposed channels 45, 47 and 55, 57, and in turn mount wooden headed brushes which would be replaceable. The plastic inserts would be reusable. Brushes 65 and 66 are provided with opposed bristles 69 and 70 which are spaced somewhat to allow the paddle-like ball washer, indicated generally at 71, to pass therebetween. Tank 50 is further provided with resilient molded corners, as corner 59, which fit into the corners of the support and positioning shell 52.

A manually operable ball washer, indicated generally at 71, is provided in accordance with the present invention, and, in the exemplary embodiment, includes the provision of a paddle or blade-like body 72 having a flat head portion 73 in which is provided a ball receiving port 74. The body and head portions are integrally formed with a rod 75 upon which a handle, which in the exemplary embodiment comprises a simultated golf ball, 76 is secured by means of a lock washer provided within the ball and received within a slot provided about rod 75, as seen in FIG. 3. The paddle or blade portion 72 of the ball washer is received in and guided by the opposed channels 54 and 54 in the ball washer tank 50, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. A ball received within port 74, as seen in FIGS. 2,3 and 5,will be swirled between the brushes, indicated generally at 65 and 66, when the ball washer is manually manipulated up and down in tank 50 via handle 76. It is contemplated that the bristles 69 and 70 of the brushes may be provided of different lengths to encourage a rotary motion of the golf ball being washed in a direction traverse to the direction of vertical movement of the ball and thus enhance the cleaning and swirling action.

The housing cover 38 is provided with a club receiving aperture 77, as best seen in FIG. 4, which may be of generally rectangular configuration as shown. Marginal portions 78 of the cover about aperture 77 are formed to taper downwardly and inwardly to promote flow of any splashed water from the cover into tank 40. Also, such tapered marginal area 78 facilitate manipulating a golf club head between the brushes with the club shaft lying generally along the tapered areas. Similarly, a golf ball aperture 79 is provided in cover 38 over the ball wash tank 50 with a slot 80 provided in cover 38 to receive the head portion 73 of the washer, as best seen in FIG. 4. An inclined trough 81 is formed in cover 39 to promote the movement of a golf ball from a prewashed, stored position, as ball 82 in FIG. 6, through the washing operation and to an afterwashed, stored position, as the position of ball 83 in FIG. 6.

The housing and wash rack apparatus thus far explained, may also be provided with appropriate means for mounting a drying towel for the like. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, such means may comprise the provision of eyelets 84 and 85 secured by ap-' proriate fastening means through the housing walls, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the cover plate 38, as explained hereinbefore, may be made of a lightweight material such as aluminum, and be secured to the top of the housing shell by appropriate fastening means, such as the screws 86 as seen in FIG. 2.

It can be seen from the foregoing description of a detailed exemplary embodiment of the wash rack apparatus of the present invention, that both first and second wash means are provided for receiving and washing both a golf club head and a golf ball in such a manner that a golfer may generally concurrently wash both his club head and ball preparatory to teeing off at the tee adjacent to which the wash rack apparatus of the present invention is positioned. Further, as particularly contemplated within the present invention, such first and second wash means are mounted in a single housing upon a stand positioning the housing above ground level for easy access thereto by the user.

It is also particularly contemplated within the present invention that the wash rack housing apparatus be provided with means for removably mounting an indicia bearing display means, such as is indicated generally at 24. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, such indicia bearing display means mounting means comprises a framework 90 of corner members 91, 92, 93 and 94 I and bottom or horizontal rail members 97, 98, 99 and 100. As best seen in FIG. 7, each of the corner members, as corner 91, are provided with oppositely facing lips, as lips 95 and 95, to form channels, as channels 96 and 96', between the lips and housing side walls to receive marginal portions of a panel member positionable therebetween. Similarly, the bottom or rail members, as rail member 97 in FIG. 8, are provided with lip portions, as lip 101, forming channels, as channel 102, between the lips and housing side walls.

With the cover plate 38 removed, an indicia bearing panel 103 may be slid vertically down through the side channels of the framework formed between the corner member lips and the side walls into the lower channel 102, as seen in FIG. 8. The cover member 38 may then be assembled onto the housing with the cover depending flange 39 holding the upper marginal portions of the panel against the housing front wall 31. Panel 103 may be positioned with the indicia, such as an advertisment, on its forward face so that it is visible exteriorly of the housing to golfers using or passing by the wash rack. In addition, a clear plastic or glass cover plate 104 may also be positioned within the aforedescribed framework to overlie and protect the indicia bearing panel 103 when desired.

From the foregoing, it can be seen by those skilled in the art, that the golf club and ball wash rack apparatus of the present invention, not only provides first and second wash means for washing both club head and golf balls, but also provides means for removably mounting a display panel which may be utilized for advertising golf or other events or products of interest to golfers or golf course owners. The wash rack of the present invention therefore not only provides the increased convenience to the golfer of being able to wash his golf club and ball, but further makes greater utilization of the wash rack in allowing its use as an advertising display device for the advertising media directed toward golfers.

Having thus described a preferred exemplary embodiment of the golf club and ball wash rack apparatus of the present invention incorporating means for removably mounting an indicia bearing display panel, in accordance with the present invention, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, adaptations and alternations of the present apparatus may be made which still come within the scope and spirit of the invention herein which is defined in the following claims.

We claim:

l. A golf wash rack apparatus comprising: at least one wash means for receiving and washing golf equipment, mounting means including a housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means including lip means provided along a lower portion of a side wall of said housing for receiving marginal portions of a panel as part of said display means;

fastening means provided upon said housing along an upper portion of said side wall for fastening an upper portion of said panel to said housing, said housing further being provided with a flanged cover and said fastening means including a flange on said cover for holding the upper portion of said panel to said housing.

2. A golf wash rack apparatus, according to claim 1,

wherein said wash means is for washing golf balls.

3. A golf wash apparatus, according to claim I, wherein said wash means is for washing golf clubs.

4. A golf wash apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said wash means includes a first means for washing golf balls and a second means for washing golf clubs. y

5. In a wash rack apparatus having a housing including at least one washmeans for receiving and washing a golf playing component such as a golf ball, a club head, or the like, and which housing is mounted above ground level on a stand suitable forpositioning adjacent a golf course tee area, the improvement comprising the provision of:

means on said housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means being adapted for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means and further comprising;

first fastening means provided adjacent a lower portion of said display means, and

second fastening means provided adjacent an upper portion of said side walls of said housing for receiving and mounting an upper marginal portion of said display means, said first fastening means comprising a framework of corner and side members mounted to said housing with at least one of said side and two adjacent corner members having inwardly extending lip portions spaced from said housing for receiving marginal portions of a panellike display means thereunder, and said housing being provided with a cover plate having at least one depending flange and said second fastening means including said cover plate depending flange.

6. In a wash rack apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said wash means is adapted to receive a golf ball.

7. In a wash rack apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said wash means is adapted to receive a golf club.

8. A golf club and ball wash rack apparatus comprising:

first wash means for receiving and washing a golf club head manipulated relative thereto,

second wash means for receiving and washing a golf ball manipulated relative thereto,

mounting means for mounting said first and second means adjacent to one another for generally con current use, said mounting means including a housing provided upon a stand, 1

means provided upon said housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means comprising;

lip means provided along a lower portion of the side wall of said housing for receiving marginal portions of the panel provided as part of said display means,

fastening means provided upon said housing along an upper portion of said side wall for fastening an upper portion of said panel to said housing,

said housing being provided with a flanged cover and said fastening means including a flange on said cover for holding the upper portion of said panel to said housing. 

1. A golf wash rack apparatus comprising: at least one wash means for receiving and washing golf equipment, mounting means including a housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means including lip means provided along a lower portion of a side wall of said housing for receiving marginal portions of a panel as part of said display means; fastening means provided upon said housing along an upper portion of said side wall for fastening an upper portion of said panel to said housing, said housing further being provided with a flanged cover and said fastening means including a flange on said cover for holding the upper portion of said panel to said housing.
 2. A golf wash rack apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said wash means is for washing golf balls.
 3. A golf wash apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said wash means is for washing golf clubs.
 4. A golf wash apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said wash means includes a first means for washing golf balls and a second means for washing golf clubs.
 5. In a wash rack apparatus having a housing including at least one wash means for receiving and washing a golf playing component such as a golf ball, a club head, or the like, and which housing is mounted above ground level on a stand suitable for positioning adjacent a golf course tee area, the improvement comprising the provision of: means on said housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means being adapted for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means and further comprising; first fastening means provided adjacent a lower portion of said display means, and second fastening means provided adjacent an upper portion of said side walls of said housing for receiving and mounting an upper marginal portion of said display means, said first fastening means comprising a framework of corner and side members mounted to said housing with at least one of said side and two adjacent corner members having inwardly extending lip portions spaced from said housing for receiving marginal portions of a panel-like display means thereunder, and said housing being provided with a cover plate having at least one depending flange and said second fastening means including said cover plate depending flange.
 6. In a wash rack apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said wash means is adapted to receive a golf ball.
 7. In a wash rack apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said wash means is adapted to receive a golf club.
 8. A golf club and ball wash rack apparatus comprising: first wash means for receiving and washing a golf club head manipulated relative thereto, second wash means for receiving and washing a golf ball manipulated relative thereto, mounting means for mounting said first and second means adjacent to one another for generally concurrent use, said mounting means including a housing provided upon a stand, means provided upon said housing for removably receiving and mounting an indicia bearing display means with the indicia thereof visible exteriorly of said housing, said means comprising; lip means provided along a lower portion of the side wall of said housing for receiving marginal portions of the panel provided as part of said display means, fastening means provided upon said housing along an upper portion of said side wall for fastening an upper portion of said panel to said housing, said housing being provided with a flanged cover and said fastening means including a flange oN said cover for holding the upper portion of said panel to said housing. 